A&M's secret power lies in the trenches

Updated 9:02 am, Friday, January 4, 2013

Photo: Karen Warren, Express-News

Image 1of/13

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 13

Texas A&M offensive linesman Luke Joeckel (76) provides run blocking during the first quarter of a college football game against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, in Tuscaloosa. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )

Texas A&M offensive linesman Luke Joeckel (76) provides run blocking during the first quarter of a college football game against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, in Tuscaloosa. (

Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel displays his trophy for the Outland Trophy Award after being named the nation's outstanding interior lineman at the Home Depot College Football Awards in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel displays his trophy for the Outland Trophy Award after being named the nation's outstanding interior lineman at the Home Depot College Football Awards in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.,

Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel speaks to the media at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media day in Hoover, Ala. on Tuesday, July 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel speaks to the media at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media day in Hoover, Ala. on Tuesday, July 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Photo: Butch Dill, Express-News

Image 7 of 13

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: Luke Joeckel #76 of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts during a loss against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Cowboys Stadium on October 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel speaks to the media at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media day in Hoover, Ala. on Tuesday, July 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel speaks to the media at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media day in Hoover, Ala. on Tuesday, July 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Photo: Butch Dill, Express-News

Image 10 of 13

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) gets a lift from Luke Joeckel (76) after running 18-yards for a touchdown during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) gets a lift from Luke Joeckel (76) after running 18-yards for a touchdown during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Nov.

Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) jumps into offensive linesman Luke Joeckel's (76) arms after scoring his second touchdown of the second quarter of a NCAA football game against South Carolina State University, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, in College Station. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle )

Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) jumps into offensive linesman Luke Joeckel's (76) arms after scoring his second touchdown of the second quarter of a NCAA football game against South

Texas A&M offensive linesman Luke Joeckel (76) provides run blocking during the first quarter of a college football game against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, in Tuscaloosa.

Texas A&M offensive linesman Luke Joeckel (76) provides run blocking during the first quarter of a college football game against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, in Tuscaloosa.

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Image 13 of 13

A&M's secret power lies in the trenches

1 / 13

Back to Gallery

ARLINGTON — Texas A&M defensive lineman Spencer Nealy snared a microphone from the folks at 12th Man TV and chose to grab a few interviews of his own this week at Cowboys Stadium. The expressive Nealy bounced up to Aggies offensive left tackle Luke Joeckel, who was in the midst of a dialogue with several reporters, and shoved a microphone in his face.

“Luke,” Nealy said, before repeating himself.

Joeckel kept on rolling, ignoring the massive distraction from the 280-pound teammate and former Reagan High standout — and doing what he's done best over the past three seasons: snuffing the enthusiasm of defensive linemen.

In all the hype surrounding A&M freshman quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, and despite Joeckel's 6-foot-6, 310-pound frame, it was easy to overlook the effort of the Outland Trophy award winner. That was fine by Joeckel, an Arlington High product who might play his final college game tonight in the Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma (10-2).

“Growing up in a family of offensive linemen, I've definitely lived in the background my whole life, and I'm OK with that,” said Joeckel, whose father played at Texas Tech. “That's part of being an offensive lineman. Winning the Outland was amazing, but the four other guys on the offensive line deserve it as much as I did.”

Sports Channel

A&M's bookend big men, including fellow junior Jake Matthews on the opposite side, have earned the Sooners' attention nearly as much as Manziel.

“They both have great ability and great size,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. “You can see the experience, technique and everything really in the whole offensive line.”

Much of that is a credit to former Aggies coach Mike Sherman, who coached the offensive line in a previous stint with A&M and whose passion never strayed far from that unit. Sherman, now the Miami Dolphins' offensive coordinator, brought Joeckel and Matthews onboard three years ago, and the duo has been a mainstay with the offense.

“Those two guys can keep people from closing in,” OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. “They both do a great job of keeping people in front of them, and making space around them. Their offensive line is probably their greatest strength.”

That's also evident in the NFL draft potential of the duo, with neither having yet announced their intentions of returning for their senior seasons or going pro. Some mock drafts project Joeckel as the top overall selection, and most have each tackle as first-round picks.

Based on his high draft status, Joeckel, whose twin brother Matt is an Aggies quarterback, appears to be leaning more toward joining junior defensive end Damontre Moore in the draft. That's also why this season, with A&M sporting a 10-2 record under first-year coach Kevin Sumlin, and tonight's game are so special to the giant who grew up just down the asphalt from Cowboys Stadium.

“Last year we had so many high expectations but things didn't work out,” Joeckel said of A&M's 7-6 mark in Sherman's final season. “We couldn't finish games in the second half. This year is totally different. No one had expectations for us, but I believe we overachieved.”

Express-News staff writer Brent Zwerneman breaks down today's game position by position:

Quarterback

One started season as Heisman candidate. Hint: It wasn't the winner. Oklahoma's Landry Jones had a typically strong season, but previous unknown Johnny Manziel brought home the goods after one of the top seasons in history by an SEC quarterback.

Edge: A&M

Running back

OU's Damien Williams ranks third in the Big 12 with 75 yards per game rushing in the Sooners' pass-heavy offense. The Aggies, led by Ben Malena and Christine Michael, average 5.62 yards per carry, slightly off the school record of 5.8 in 1990.

Edge: A&M

Receivers/tight ends

Aggies' top six receivers, led by Mike Evans and Ryan Swope, average at least 11 yards per catch. A&M led the SEC in passing offense. Passing still keys OU's offense, and with Kenny Stills, Justin Brown and Jalen Saunders, it ranks fifth nationally with 341 yards a game.

Edge: Even

Offensive line

OU, led by center Gabe Ikard, gives Landry Jones plenty of time, allowing only 14 sacks. Concerning A&M's "Maroon Goons," Manziel might never pass or run behind such a solid line again. Tackles Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews are projected as first-round NFL selections.

Edge: A&M

Defensive line

Aggies are losing junior end Damontre Moore (team-best 80 tackles) to the NFL. A&M's line is undersized and enjoys its "scrappy" label. OU's front four, led by senior defensive end David King, ranks 80th nationally in rushing defense, so the Aggies intend to run.

Edge: A&M

Linebackers

Sooners mainstays Corey Nelson and Tom Wort, both nearly Aggies out of high school, have plenty to prove. Seniors Sean Porter and Jonathan Stewart have keyed a surprising strength for A&M, considering its front seven was a big question mark before the season.

Edge: A&M

Defensive backs

Led by senior safety Steven Terrell, A&M has its hands full with a solid receiving corps — perhaps the best it has seen all season. OU's pass defense, guided by All-America safety Tony Jefferson, has limited opponents to 198 yards passing per game, second in the Big 12.

Edge: OU

Special teams

OU was the only Big 12 team in the regular season with two punt returns for touchdowns (Jalen Saunders and Justin Brown). The Sooners have tallied better punting and kicking seasons, while A&M kicker Taylor Bertolet has struggled with consistency (13 of 22 on field goals).

Edge: OU

Coaching

Kevin Sumlin is considered a rising star, and for good reason. He led Houston to a 12-1 mark in 2011 and notched a 10-2 record in his first season at A&M. But his former boss Bob Stoops has won a national title and led the Sooners to eight Big 12 titles in 14 years.

Edge: OU

Intangibles

Simply, the Aggies are more excited to be playing in the Cotton Bowl. The Sooners are pleased, but the Aggies are happier. Hardly anyone outside of A&M's locker room — and even that's questionable — envisioned a 10-2 run in their first year in the SEC.

Edge: A&M

Zwerneman: A&M 39-33; Tim Griffin: A&M 35-33

And that's something few have overlooked in Texas A&M's surprisingly successful season, one buoyed in large part by an overlooked offensive lineman who prefers it that way.